Kikonai, Hokkaido

Kikunai 木古内町
Town
Memorial Tablet for the Kanrin Maru Sinking at Saraki Point (February 2009)
Flag Seal
The location of Kikonai in Oshima Subprefecture.
Kikunai Location of Kikonai in Japan
Coordinates: 41°41′N 140°26′E / 41.683°N 140.433°E / 41.683; 140.433Coordinates: 41°41′N 140°26′E / 41.683°N 140.433°E / 41.683; 140.433
Country	Japan
Prefecture	Hokkaido
Subprefecture	Oshima Subprefecture
District	Kamiiso
Government
• Mayor	Isao Ōmori
Area
• Total	221.88 km2 (85.67 sq mi)
Population (2016-09-30)
• Total	4,448
• Density	20/km2 (52/sq mi)
Post code	049-0422
Area code(s)	01392
Official Tree	Cryptomeria
Official Flower	Rhododendron
Government Office Address	218 Banchi, Aza Hon-chō, Kikonai-chō, Kamiiso-gun, Hokkaidō 049-0422
Government Office Telephone	01392-2-3131
Website	www.town.kikonai.hokkaido.jp

Kikonai (木古内町, Kikonai-chō) is a town located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan.

As of September 2016, the town has an estimated population of 4,448, and a density of 20 persons per km². The total area is 221.88 km².

Geography

Kikonai is located on the southwest of the Oshima Peninsula and faces Tsugaru Strait.

History

• 1902: Kikonai village was founded.^[1]
• 1942: Kikonai village became Kikonai town.
• 2012: Hokkaido Kikonai High School was closed.

Transportation

Kikonai's station, Kikonai Station, is located at the north end of the Seikan Tunnel, which connects the islands of Hokkaido and Honshū. The town government is actively promoting the development of the Hokkaidō Shinkansen and proposes offering intermodal service on the line.

Matsumae Line used to run from Kikonai but it was abolished in 1988. The section of Esashi Line from Kikonai to Esashi was also abolished in May 2014.

• Esashi Line: Kamaya - Izumisawa - Satsukari - Kikonai ( - Oshima-Tsuruoka - Yoshibori)
• Kaikyō Line: Kikonai

Sister city

• Tsuruoka, Yamagata (since 1989)^[2]

References

External links

Media related to Kikonai, Hokkaidō at Wikimedia Commons

• Official Website (in Japanese)